Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02370925 2004-10-04
IMPROVED SNOWPLOV~ MOUNT
This invention. relates primarily to snowplows and 'more particularly to an
improvement.in,
snowplows mountable on a motor vehicle for removing snow and other debris from
roadways and
similar surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to the art of
mounting snowplows to
auhomotive vehicles, and more particularly an apparatus .for mounting a
snowplow blade on a
vehicle-mounted snowplow supporting frame attached to a vehicle equipped with
controls for
positioning the frame and the snowplow blade. The invention is particularly
applicable to a
snowplow apparatus and construction, wherein an improved snowplow iriount
assembly is provided
'for attaching and detaching the snowplow frotr~ the vehicle and will be.
described with particular
reference thereto.
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common for owners of vehicles to equip the vehicle with a snowplow for
the purpose
of removing snow from a ground surface. These vehicles include cars, jeeps,
sport utility vehicles,
pick-up trucks and the like. Each type of vehicle has a different frame
structure and a different
S bumper design to accommodate the frame structure. At present, the most
commonly used
arrangement for attaching a snowplow blade to a vehicle involves pivotally
connecting an A-frame
which supports the blade to a frame extension below the front of the vehicle.
Vertical displacement
of the snowplow blade in the A-frame is provided by a lift-mount assembly. The
lift-mount
assembly serves primarily to raise, lower and support the plow blade, such as
by raising the plow
blade above the ground during transportation of the snowplow blade as well as
during a snowplow
operation. The lift-mount assembly typically includes a hydraulic cylinder,
lift arm and chain or
cable arrangement mounted above the vehicle frame. Typically, the A-frame is
aligned with the
vehicle frame below the front of the vehicle to provide proper blade
alignment.
The A-frame generally includes a frame assembly supporting a plow blade
forwardly of the
vehicle and having an inner end design to be releasably hitched to the support
structure beneath the
vehicle. Detachment of the snowplow blade unit from the vehicle enables use of
the vehicle for
personal and/or work oriented purposes other than snowplowing.
Depending on the type of the frame mount used, the frame mount typically
projects out
beyond, or coplanar with, the bumper thereby defeating the purpose of the
bumper. In addition, the
frame mount becomes a potentially dangerous battering ram when extended past
the bumper, and
is subjected to being damaged in a collision. Such prior art lift assemblies
are disclosed in United
States Letters Patent Nos. 2,667,708; 3,214,138; 3,410,008; 3,456,369; and
3,987,562. In addition,
these prior art mount assemblies include one or more of a number of structural
disadvantages, such
as a) excessive weight, b) exposure to adverse environmental conditions, c)
potential physical
damage during non-snowplowing use, d) high cost of manufacture, e) difficulty
in mounting to a
variety of vehicle frames, and fj undesirable aesthetics when used on a
vehicle. More particularly,
with regard to such disadvantages, these prior art lift mount assemblies are
typically 1) mounted on
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the existing vehicle bumper or on a special cross member between the vehicle
frame members which
either replaces or is provided in addition to the bumper, or 2) are mounted on
one of the vehicle's
frame and bumper components and interconnected with one another. Furthermore,
due to the design
of these prior art mounting systems, when the snowplow blade is elevated, the
lift arm mounting
members cause considerable stress at the point of connection between the
mounting members and
the vehicle as a result of the weight of the corresponding snowplow blade
unit. Such forces
necessitate structurally heavy mounting members and supports and special
structural
interconnections therebetween in an effort to minimize damage and/or bending
or breakage of the
mounting members and/or support components. This results in undue weight to
the support unit and
increased complexity in the assembly and the repair of the support unit. The
lift arm assemblies are
also intended to remain on the vehicle when the snowplow unit is removed
therefrom. This is
undesirable from the stand point of the weight imposed on the front axle of
the vehicle and can result
in a violation of one or more governmental restrictions with respect to
vehicle loading. In addition,
one or more of the lift components project a considerable distance forward of
the vehicle bumper
thus exposing such components to damage or destruction should the vehicle
impact against an
object. Moreover, these components, when exposed to the elements year round,
can begin to
deteriorate, therefore requiring more frequent maintenance, repair and
replacing, thus increasing the
expense of using such an assembly. The permanent fixture of these components
to the vehicle also
can significantly deteriorate from the aesthetic appearance of the front of
the vehicle during non
winter months.
Many efforts have been made to resolve several of these problems with respect
to the use of
snowplow blades. Assignees' United States Letters Patent No. 4,279,084
improves on a number of
draw backs of prior art lift mount assemblies. The lift mount assembly reduces
the number of
modifications to the front end of the vehicle to accommodate the lift mount
assembly. The lift
mount assembly replaces projecting parts on the lift mount assembly with
somewhat recessed
exposed parts which do not bear the full impact of a collision should the
vehicle impact against an
object during non-snowplow use. However, the foremost part of the bracket
portion of the lift mount
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assembly is located on the same vehicle plane as the foremost part of the
bumper. .Therefore, both
the bumper and the lift mount bear the brunt of any collision. Potential
damage to the lift mount
assembly remains a likelihood on the collision. The lift mount assembly also
must be positioned
behind the bumper which can present installation problems. The mount assembly
also requires some
rigging to establish the top mounting point behind the bumper which can be
troublesome for some
vehicles.
Assignees' United States Letters Patent No. 5,036,608 improved on many of the
remaining
drawbacks of existing mount assemblies. The mount assembly is a two piece
assembly wherein the
housing unit is affixed to the frame of the vehicle beneath and behind the
bumper of the vehicle
thereby eliminating parts of the housing from being damaged on collision by
the vehicle. The lift
mount assembly also includes a support unit which'releasably attaches to the
housing and is designed
to support components of the mount assembly ~to lift and lower the snowplow
frame assembly.
When the snowplow blade and A-frame are removed from the housing unit, the
support unit may
also be removed thereby eliminating projecting parts of the lift mount
assembly. from being exposed
to damage. The removal of these coiriponents also enhances the authentic
appearance of the vehicle
during non-winter months and prevents the lift mount assembly components from
being expo$ed to
the elements throughout the year.
Although United States Letters Patent No. 5,036,608 is a significant
improvement over prior
art lift mount assemblies, the improved lift mount assembly does not address
several problems with
respect to the mounting of the lift assembly and blade mount assembly to
various types of vehicles,
the adjustment of the lift assembly to various types of vehicles, and the
difficulty in attaching and
detaching the lift assembly and/or snowplow blade mount assembly from the
vehicle. Assignee's
United States Patent No. 6,354,024 entitled "Snowplow Mount"~ addresses the
problems associated
with the mounting of the lift assembly and blade mount assembly to various
types of vehicles. The,
frame mount assembly disclosed in United States Patent No. 6,354,024
advantageously enables
quick release and removal of the support assembly from the supporting portion
of the frame mount
assembly, whereby only the
CA 02370925 2002-02-07
frame mount assembly need remain on the vehicle during non-snowplowing use of
the vehicle.
Components of the support assembly and components attached thereto can be
stored and thus
protected from adverse environmental conditions and potential damage by impact
of the vehicle with
another object during non-snowplowing use thereof.
In many of the snowplow systems shown in the above patents, the snowplow blade
is
supported on a vehicle using a pivotal mounting frame allowing an operator to
pivot the blade about
a vertical axis and thereby to selectively direct the plowed snow to either
side of the vehicle path.
Such mounting frames are generally mounted on a vehicle for pivoting about a
horizontal axis near
the front of the vehicle whereby the snowplow blade may also be selectively
raised and lowered
using hydraulic controls mounted on the vehicle. The snowplow blade itself is
typically attached
to the mounting frame for limited rotation about a horizontal mounting axis
near the snowplow blade
and is further equipped with springs connected between the snowplow blade and
the mounting frame
to dampen this rotational movement and to bias the snowplow blade to an
upright position. In
addition, the snowplow blade may optionally be offset from the ground using
skids or casters
mounted to the mounting frame. This is particularly desirable for heavy
highway plows to minimize
damage to the road surface. United States Patent Nos. 3,706,144 and 3,828,449
illustrate an arcuate
snowplow blade support member wherein the snowplow blade is mounted on a U-
shaped support
member using trunnions. The support member provides manual adjustment of the
blade angle about
a center pin and lock. Springs are connected between the blade and the support
member to hold the
blade upright and to dampen the pivoting of the blade about the trunnion axis
as the blade contacts
obstacles. Hydraulic control of the snowplow blade angle is provided. In
United States Patent No.
3,353,287, the snowplow blade support system includes a C-shaped channel
member pivotally
attached to the blade with pins, forming a sector arrangement with an arcuate
plate member. This
configuration further includes two horizontal V-shaped brace members between
the arcuate member
and the C-shaped channel member. Manual adjustment of the blade angle is
disclosed, wherein the
blade pivots around an axis through the C-shaped channel member and is locked
in a desired
position. In United States Patent No. 4,803,790, a C-shaped support member is
illustrated as having
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no arcuate supporting structure. In applications-employing lightweight
snowplow blades, a single
C-shaped support member has proven adequate. However, larger and/or more
massive snowplow
blades require more supporting strength, particularly for highway plowing
applications where the
vehicle speed exceeds that of typical parking lot or driveway operations.
Adding further supporting
S ~ braces and members; as shown in United,States Patent Nos. 3,706,144 and
3,828,449, adds further
cost, complexity and weight to the system. Other methods of strengthening the
C-shaped support member
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,803,790 by Ciula include selection of different
materials and increasing the
thickness. These methods, however, further add to the cwt and weight of the
blade support apparatus, and are
therefore undesirable. Optional support for vehicle snowplow blades is
provided by.skids as shown
in United States Patent. Nos. 3,400,475; 3,432,946; 3,432,947, or by casters
as shown in United
States Patent No. 4,528,762. In these systems, the'skid or caster may. be
vertically adjusted by
rotating a threaded shaft, and fixed by tightening a nut on the shaft.
Alternatively; the vertical
spacing between the skids or casters and the plow blade may be adjusted using
a vertical skid shaft
inserted within a vertical supporting plate, wherein horizontal holes are
provided in the shaft and the
. plate for receiving a pin. The use of a threaded shaft is an expensive
method, as threaded surfaces
must be provided both in the shaft as well as. in the vertical structure to
which the shaft is mounted.
Horizontal holes and pins in combination provide relatively inexpensive
vertical adjustment for skids
or casters. However; such a pin must bear the vertical load of the snowplow
mass, which can be very
large for highway plows and the like. The pin must therefore be sized to
accept the shear forces
caused by the snowplow load. it is therefore desirable to provide a system for
vertical adjustment
of snowplow blade supporting skids, rollers, or casters which provides
adequate vertical load
handling capabilities with little or no inorease in cost or complexity -over
the prior systems.
As'signee's United States Patent No. 6,276,075 entitled "Snowplow Blade
Support Apparatus"
overcomes the problems associated with vertical adjustment of snowplow blade
supporting skids,
rollers or caster systems. United States Patent No. 6,276,075 discloses a
snowplow blade
mounting apparatus which includes an I-beam support member adapted to support
a typical
f...
highway or smaller snowplow for damped limited
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pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The single support I-beam. member
has higher load
carrying capabilities and lower torsional flexure than a similarly sized C-
shaped channel member
of the same weight and thickness. The flanges of the I-beam overhang both
sides of the beam web,
thus providing additional weld points on the inwardly facing flange surfaces
of both sides. As a
' result, clevis plates may be welded to both the I-beam web arid the flange
of both sides of the I-beam
to provide superior weld joint strength over a wEld t~ the web alone.
Although the snowplow blade mounts disclosed in United States Patent No.
6,354,024 entitled
"Snowplow Mount" and United States Patent No. 6,276,075 entitled "Snowplow
Blade Support'
Apparatus" address many of the deficiencies of prior snowplow mount designs,
there remains a need
for a snowplow blade mount that allow the snowplow blade to befter follow the
contour of the road
during operation. .
SUn~IMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a new and improved frame mount assembly for
attaching
a snowplow blade unit'to a vehicle which overcomes all of the above referred
problems and enables
a lift mount assembly and/or a blade mount assembly to be quickly released
from the vehicle and
which enables the snowplow blade to better follow the contour of the road
during operation., In this
respect, the fi~arne mount assembly, according to the present invention, .is
structurally simple and
light in weight, thus enabling a savings in cost while facilitating the
installatiowprocedure~ and
reducing the weight imposed on the front axle of the vehicle during
snowplov~ting and non-
snowplowing use: The frame mount asseriibly is structurally independent of the
vehicle bumper and
is mountable on a vehicle without replacing the original or existing bumper.
The frame mount
assembly advantageously enables quick' release and removal of the support
assembly from the
supporting. portion of the frame mount assembly, whereby only the frame mount
assembly need
remain on the vehicle during, non-snowplowing use of the vehicle. Accordingly,
components of the
.support assembly and components attached thereto can be stored and thus
protected from adverse
environmental.conditions and potential damage by impact of the vehicle with
another object during
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non-snowplowing use thereof. The frame mount assembly is constructed in
association with the
vehicle so as to advantageously minimize both the visibility of the frame
mount assembly and the
projection of the parts of the frame mount assembly thereof forwardly of the
vehicle when the
support assembly is removed, thus promoting the aesthetic appearance of the
front of the vehicle.
The mounting of the frame mount assembly independent of the vehicle's bumper
allows forces and
stresses imposed on the frame mount assembly when the snowplow blade is
elevated to be
transmitted through the frame mount assembly to the vehicle frame, thus
avoiding any distortion of
the bumper member and/or any disfiguring thereof by attachment of the
component parts of the
assembly thereto.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a snowplow mount
assembly
includes four principal components, namely a frame mount assembly, a support
assembly, a lift
assembly, and a blade mount assembly. The frame mount assembly is affixed to
the frame of the
vehicle and has at least one attachment point situated beneath and behind the
bumper of the vehicle.
The support assembly is designed to be connected to the at least one
attachment point on the frame
mount assembly. The support assembly is also designed to be connected to the
lift assembly unit
and/or the blade mount assembly. The support assembly thereby integrates the
lift assembly and/or
blade assembly with the frame mount assembly. The support assembly is mounted
to the frame
mount assembly in a manner to allow the support assembly to be releasably
attached to the frame
mount assembly for easy removal from the vehicle. In one embodiment, the
removal of the support
assembly from the frame mount assembly results in no permanent structures of
the snowplow mount
protruding beyond the vehicle bumper.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the lift
assembly is designed
to be detachable from, or permanently affixed to, the support assembly. In one
embodiment, the lift
assembly includes a lift arm that is connected or interconnected to the blade
mount assembly for
lifting and lowering the blade mount assembly. In another embodiment, the lift
assembly is
permanently affixed to the support assembly.
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In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the blade
mount assembly is
designed to be detachable from, or permanently affixed to, the support
assembly. The blade mount
assembly is also designed to connect to a snowplow blade. In one embodiment,
the blade mount
assembly includes an A-frame design to support a snowplow blade. In another
embodiment, the
snowplow blade includes a frame that has a pivotal mounting adapted for
connection with the
blade mount assembly, and allowing controlled pivotal movement of the blade
with respect to the
blade mount assembly about a vertical axis and/or horizontal axis. In still
another embodiment, the
blade mount assembly includes a control connector for attachment of a
hydraulic ram or other
controls, allowing a vehicle operator to adjust the snowplow blade angle from
inside the vehicle. In
1o yet another embodiment, the blade mount assembly includes a bracket adapted
for connection to a
spring, whereby the spring may be connected between the blade mount assembly
and the blade. In a
further embodiment, there is provided runners mounted on the blade mount
member and/or blade
which are vertically adjustable with respect to the blade mount assembly
and/or blade. In still a
further embodiment, the blade mount assembly includes an adjustable mount
arrangement that
mounts to the blade, which mount arrangement enables the blade to rotate in
multiple planes. In one
aspect of this embodiment, the mount arrangement enables the blade to rotate a
limited distance
relative to the blade mount assembly. This limited rotation allows the blade
to make small
adjustments in orientation relative to an u~ven ground surface. As a result,
the blade is allowed to
rotate in an additional plane to enable the base of the blade to follow the
uneven contours of a road
2o surface. In still .another embodiment, the lift assembly includes a lift
chain mount that allows the
chain to slightly adjust to accommodate the limited rotation of the snowplow
blade as the snowplow
blade makes small adjustments in orientation relative to an uneven ground
surface. In still another
embodiment, the blade mount assembly and/or blade include one or more grease
or lubrication
fittings to improve the movement of the blade relative to the support member.
In one aspect of this
embodiment, one or more grease or lubrication fittings are at least partially
isolated from the
environment to minimize dirt and other debris from adversely affecting the
grease or lubrication
fitting.
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In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the frame
mount assembly
is designed to include a connection section that facilitates in the attachment
of the support assembly
to the frame mount assembly. The connection section can also function as a
structural support for
the other components of the frame mount assembly and to help rigidify and
strengthen such
components. The connection section facilitates in the dismounting of the
support assembly from the
frame mount assembly. In one embodiment, the frame mount assembly includes one
or more
regions that at least partially assist in guiding at least a portion of the
support assembly into proper
orientation with the frame mount assembly so that the support assembly can be
mounted to the frame
mount assembly. In another specific embodiment, the frame mount assembly
includes a landing
designed to receive a portion of the support assembly. In this specific
embodiment, the landing is
designed to have a shape such that a portion of the support assembly inserts
into the landing to
thereby insure the proper positioning and the proper attachment of the support
assembly to the frame
mount assembly. In another specific embodiment, the frame mount assembly
includes one or more
sloped surfaces that guide a portion of the support assembly to a location in
the frame mount
assembly where the support assembly is mounted to the frame mount assembly.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
support assembly which includes an end leg member designed to mount with the
frame mount
assembly. In one embodiment, the end leg portion is designed to have a
dimension so as to fit into
a specific region of the frame mount assembly. In another embodiment, the
support assembly
includes a mid-section. The mid section of the support assembly is designed
such that a portion of
the outer surface of the mid-section forms a complimentary surface with the
frame mount assembly
when the support assembly is connected to the frame mount assembly. In one
embodiment, the end
leg member and mid-section of the support assembly are rigidly connected
together. In one aspect
of this embodiment, the end leg member and the mid-section are formed from a
common piece of
material. In one specific embodiment, the mid-section of the support assembly
includes an opening
to receive a connector to secure the support assembly to the frame mount
assembly. In this specific
embodiment, the frame mount assembly includes an opening which forms a
complimentary opening
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with the opening in the mid-section of the support assembly for the connector
to be inserted there
through when the support assembly is properly positioned in the frame mount
assembly. In another
specific embodiment, the support assembly is secured to the frame mount
assembly in at least two
locations, one at the leg portion and the other at the mid-section of the
support assembly. In still
another embodiment, the support assembly includes one or more connectors to
enable the support
assembly to be easily removed and/or attached to the frame mount assembly. In
one embodiment,
the connector is a pin assembly, bolt assembly, latch assembly, and/or clamp
assembly that secures
the support assembly to the frame mount assembly. In one specific embodiment,
the connector is
a pin assembly and/or bolt assembly that is fitted into a hole in the frame
mount assembly and
through a hole in the support assembly which is aligned with the hole in the
frame mount assembly
when the support assembly is properly positioned in the frame mount assembly.
In another specific
embodiment, the connector is a pin assembly and/or bolt assembly that includes
a locking and/or
position mechanism to lock and/or secure the pin assembly and/or bolt assembly
in a certain position
during the mounting andlor dismounting of the support assembly to the frame
mount assembly. In
still another specific embodiment, the connector is a pin assembly and/or bolt
assembly that includes
a biasing mechanism to bias the pin and/or bolt in a certain position.
Preferably, the biasing
mechanism biases the pin and/or bolt in an attachment position to assist in
maintaining that the
support system remains mounted to the frame mount assembly after the support
system has been
mounted to the frame mount assembly. In one arrangement, the biasing mechanism
includes a
spring. In a further embodiment, the support assembly includes a blade mount
connector designed
to connect the blade mount assembly to the support assembly. Iri one
embodiment, the blade mount
assembly includes an opening which forms a complimentary opening with an
opening in the support
assembly for a connector to be inserted there through when the blade mount
assembly is properly
positioned with respect to the support assembly. In this specific embodiment,
the blade mount
assembly can pivot about the connector or be rigidly secured to the support
assembly. In still
another embodiment, the blade mount assembly can be attached and/or detached
from the support
assembly. In one specific embodiment, the blade mount assembly is connected to
the support
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assembly at a different location on the support assembly from the location the
support system is
connected to the frame mount assembly. In another embodiment, the support
assembly includes a
second end leg member designed to connect the lift mount assembly to the
support assembly. Tn one
embodiment, the second end leg member is rigidly connected to a portion of the
lift mount assembly.
The rigid connection can be formed by a weld, bolt, pin, clamp, or the like.
In another embodiment,
a portion of the lift assembly is formed from a common portion of the support
assembly. In still
another embodiment, the end leg member, mid-section and second end leg member
of the support
assemble are rigidly connected together. In one aspect of this embodiment, the
end leg member, the
mid-section and second end leg member are formed from a common piece of
material.
In still another embodiment, the lift mount is angularly oriented on the
support assembly to
reduce stress on the connection between the support assembly and the lift
mount assembly. In still
yet another embodiment, the lift mount assembly is connected to the support
assembly to allow the
lift mount assembly to be angularly adjustably connected to the support
assembly. In this
embodiment, adjustable connection enables the lift mount assembly to be used
with a variety of
1 S different vehicles. In one specific embodiment, the adjustable connection
can be formed by a tooth
and groove arrangement, a pin arrangement, a bolting arrangement, a latch
arrangement, or the like.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, the lift
mount assembly
includes a plow blade stop designed to receive a portion of the plow blade
when the plow blade is
in the lifted position and/or when the support assembly is detached from the
frame mount assembly
and resting on the blade mount assembly. In one embodiment, the stop provides
a resting surface
for the plow blade and/or can be designed to assist in mounting the lift mount
assembly and support
assembly to and/or from the frame mount assembly. In another embodiment, the
stop plate is
designed to provide structural support and add rigidity to the lift mount
assembly.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, the lift
mount assembly
includes an adjustable lift arm. The height of the lift arm can be adjusted so
as to accommodate a
variety of different vehicles and/or increase the efficiency and operation of
the lift mount assembly.
In still another embodiment, the lift arm is connected in a singular angular
orientation with respect
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to the legs. In a further embodiment, the lift arm is connected to enable a
plurality of angular
orientations with respect to the legs.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, the
blade mount assembly
includes a support mechanism to elevate at least a portion of the blade
assembly above a ground
S surface when the blade mount assembly is detached from the support assembly
and/or the support
assembly is detached from the frame mount assembly. The support leg enables an
operator to
conveniently attach and/or reattach the end of the blade mount assembly to the
support assembly,
and/or prevent damage to the support assembly and/or the blade mount assembly
during the
connecting and/or reconnecting of the blade mount assembly to the support
assembly. In one
embodiment, the support leg is movable between a support position and a non-
support position. In
the non-support position, the leg is raised and/or repositioned so as not to
contact the ground surface
during use of the snowplow blade. In the support position, the leg is lowered
and/or repositioned
so as to rest on the surface of the ground. In another embodiment, the support
leg elevates one end
of the blade mount assembly so that the blade mount assembly can be easily
connected to and/or
disconnected from the support assembly, and/or the support assembly can be
easily connected to
and/or disconnected from the frame mount assembly. In still another
embodiment, the support leg
is adjustably positionable to vary the elevation of the end of the blade mount
assembly from the
ground surface. The variable height positioning of the support leg can be
accomplished in a variety
of manners. In one specific embodiment, the support leg includes a plurality
of openings whereby
a bolt, pin or the like is positioned through the opening and secured in a
portion of the blade mount
assembly. The plurality of openings allow the support leg to support the end
of the blade mount
assembly in a variety of elevations above the ground. In another specific
embodiment, the plurality
of openings enable the support leg to be secured in a retracted position in
multiple locations on the
blade mount assembly. In another specific embodiment, the support leg is
extended and/or retracted
from the ground surface by a crank arrangement. In this embodiment, a crank is
rotated to lower or
raise the leg. Many arrangements which include the crank can be used to raise
and lower the support
leg. These arrangements can include rope, cord, chains, screws, teeth, and/or
grooves. In one
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preferred arrangement, the leg includes a plurality of grooves that engage
rotating teeth which are
rotated by the crank. In another preferred arrangement, the leg is raised and
lowered by a screw jack
arrangement. In another embodiment, the support leg includes a mount flange
that enables the
support leg to be attached and detached from the blade mount assembly. In
still another
embodiment, the support leg can be stored on the lift mount assembly or
support assembly when not
in use. In a fizrther embodiment, the top portion of the support leg is
designed as a landing to support
a stop plate that is mounted onto the support assembly or lift mount assembly.
In one specific
embodiment, the stop plate engages the top portion of the support leg when the
support assembly
is disconnected from the frame mount assembly.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the .lift mount
assembly includes
one or more auxiliary lights. When the complete snowplow mount assembly is
secured to a vehicle,
the headlights of the vehicle may be partially or totally blocked. In such
situations, auxiliary
headlights should be used. The lift mount assembly is designed to enable one
or more auxiliary
lights to be connected to the lift mount assembly. In one embodiment, the one
or more legs of the
lift mount assembly include a connector location designed to connect to an
auxiliary light and/or
mount to an auxiliary light. In a specific embodiment, the legs of the lift
mount assembly include
a plurality of connector locations. The plurality of connectors allow the
auxiliary lights to be used
in association with a wide variety of vehicles. In another specific
embodiment, the connector
locations are openings in the legs to allow a pin, bolt or the like to be
inserted there through.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the blade
mount assembly
and/or blade support includes a skid plate and/or coasters. In one embodiment,
the skid plate and/or
coasters are secured to or near the front of the blade mount assembly and/or
blade support. In
another embodiment, the skid plate and/or coasters elevate at least one end of
the blade mount
assembly and/or blade support above the ground to facilitate in the attachment
and/or detachment
of the blade mount assembly from the support assembly, the attachment and/or
detachment of the
support assembly from the frame mount assembly, and/or limit or prevent damage
to the frame
mount assembly during operation of the snowplow. In yet another embodiment,
the skid plate and/or
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CA 02370925 2004-10-04
coasters are adjustably secured to the blade mount assembly and/or blade
support so that the height
of at least one end of :the blade mount assembly and/or blade support can be
adjusted from the
ground.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
snowplow mount arrangement wherein the blade mount assembly and/or the lift
mount assembly can
be easily connected and/or. disconnected from the .vehicle. In such an
arrangement, a support
assembly connects to both the .blade mount assembly and the lift mount
assembly such that the
whole unit can be easily removed and/or a portion of the unit can be easily
removed from the vehicle
as desired. In one preferred~arrangement, the simple removal of.one or two
bolts or pins from the
.10 support assembly disengages the blade mount assembly from the support
assembly. In another
. ~ .
embodiment, the simple removal of a few bolts or pins from the support
assembly results in the
detachment of both the blade mount assembly, the lift mount assembly, and the
support assembly
from the frame mount assembly. The components of the support assembly, lift
mount assembly and
blade mount assembly can be oriented so that when the components are
completely removed from
1 S the frame mount assembly, they can be easily stored for later use and
reattachment.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a scraper blade
having a reinforced edge. The reinforced .edge is designed to extend the 'life
of the scraper blade as
the scraper blade moves over a ground surface. In one embodiment, the
reinforced edge includes
a durable material embedded in the bottom of the scraper blade. A variety of
durable materials can
20 be used such as, but not limited to, metal, Kevlar;~carbon fibers, etc.
It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide
improvements in the
connection of snowplomiount assemblies to the front end of a vehicle for
elevating and/or lowering
a plow blade mounted on a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of an assembly which
reduces
25 stresses applied to the vehicle frame andlor supporting portions of the
assembly when the snowplow
blade is elevated.
* Trade-mark
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an assembly
which enables quick
release and/or removal of the components of the assembly from the vehicle.
Still yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an
assembly which is
independent of the vehicle bumper.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of an
assembly in which the
structure and location of the frame mount assembly relative to the bumper
and/or vehicle body
promotes the aesthetic value of the front end of the vehicle during non-
snowplow use when the plow
blade lift unit and/or the plow mount attachment are disconnected from the
vehicle.
Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a frame
mount assembly
which is positioned behind the vehicle bumper to minimize and/or eliminate the
projection of the
components forwardly of the front of the bumper.
Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of an assembly
which has a
lighter weight structure and/or which has a structural integrity to properly
support a snowplow blade
in an elevated and/or unelevated position and which promotes the life of the
components andlor
minimizes maintenance and/or replacement costs of the components of the
assembly.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of an assembly which
enables the
operator to easily connect and/or disconnect various components of the
assembly from the vehicle.
A fizrther object of the present invention is the provision of an assembly
which enables the
attachment and/or detachment of the lift mount assembly, support assembly
and/or blade mount
assembly in a safe, sufficient, and/or convenient manner.
It is still yet another obj ect of the present invention the provision of
providing improvements
in an assembly mountable on a vehicle for elevating and/or lowering the plow
blade.
Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the provision of
an assembly
which enables quick release of the support assembly from the frame mount
assembly during periods
of non-snowplow use of the vehicle.
Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of an assembly
which enables quick release and/or removal of snowplow components and at the
same time protects
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
against unintentional separation of component parts during snowplow operation.
Still yet another andlor alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of an
assembly which structural location of the frame mount assembly in relation to
the bumper of the
vehicle promotes safety of the vehicle during non-snowplow use of the vehicle
when the support
assembly is removed.
Still yet a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of an
assembly which is less expensive to manufacture.
Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of an
assembly which includes a support assembly that connects to the lift mount
assembly and/or the
blade mount assembly to increase the simplicity of removal and/or attachment
of such components
to the vehicle.
Yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of a lift arm on
the lift mount assembly which height can be adjusted to accommodate a variety
of different vehicles.
Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of a support
leg on the lift mount assembly which elevates an end of the blade mount
assembly to simplify the
ease of connecting and/or disconnecting components to the vehicle and/or to
prevent damage of one
or more components of the assembly.
Another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the provision of
a blade mount
assembly that includes a skid plate and/or coasters .
Yet another and/or alternative obj ect of the present invention is the
provision of a support
leg that can easily adjust the height of at least one end of a blade mount
assembly and which support
leg can be easily and conveniently stored during non-use.
Still another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of a snowplow
mount assembly that includes auxiliary lights mountable to the snowplow mount
assembly.
Still yet another and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of a
snowplow mount assembly which includes connectors that are easy to handle and
which are biased
to facilitate in the securing together of one or more components of the
snowplow mount assembly.
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
A further and/or alternative object of the present invention is the provision
of a snowplow
mount assembly which includes a blade mount assembly that controls the
movement of the
snowplow blade about a horizontal axis.
Yet a further and/or alternative obj ect of the present invention is the
provision of a snowplow
mount assembly which includes a blade mount assembly that allows movement of
the snowplow
blade about a vertical axis to accommodate uneven road surfaces.
Still yet a further and/or alternative object of the present invention is the
provision of a
snowplow mount assembly which includes a blade mount assembly and/or blade
support that have
one or more grease or lubrication fittings to facilitate in the movement of
the snowplow blade
relative to the blade mount assembly.
A further and/or alternative object of the present invention is the provision
of a snowplow
mount assembly which includes a scraper blade having a reinforced edge to
extend the life of the
scraper blade.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following
description
taken together with the accompanied drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of
parts, a preferred
embodiment of which will be described in detail and illustrated in the
accompanied drawings which
form a part hereof and wherein,
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the frame mount assembly in accordance with
the present
invention;
FIGURE 2 is a side view of the frame mount assembly as shown in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a top view of the frame mount assembly as illustrated in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIGURE
3;
FIGURE 5A is a modified view of FIGURE 5 illustrating the front portion of the
blade
mount assembly slightly rotated relative to another portion of the blade mount
assembly;
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the front portion of the blade mount
assembly;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the blade mount assembly absent the front
portion;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the blade support absent the snowplow blade;
FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of the snowplow blade of FIGURE 1; and
S FIGURE 10 is cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of
illustrating
preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of
limiting the same, FIGURES
1-10 illustrate an improved frame mount assembly for operating a snowplow with
the use of a
vehicle. The frame mount assembly is suitable for use with large trucks, pick-
up trucks, 4 x 4
vehicles, SUV's, and the like for snow removal operations such as encountered
in plowing
driveways, parking lots, roads, etc. These snowplow blades are typically about
SO-85 inches in
length. For snowplow blades used in heavy duty snowplow removal, such as by
municipalities and
government agencies for removing snow and debris from highways, the snowplow
blade typically
has a length of about 80-120 inches.
The frame mount assembly 20 is made up of several principal components, namely
the
housing mount 100, which is secured to the frame members of a vehicle 30 and
positioned under and
rearwardly of the vehicle bumper 32, a support assembly 200 secured to the
housing mount, blade
mount assembly 500 secured to the support assembly and blade support 400, and
a lift mount
assembly 300 which is also secured to the support assembly.
Referring now to FIGURE 2, housing mount 100 is partially shown as being
secured to the
underside of the vehicle 30. Housing mount 100 includes two struts 102, 104
that are connected to
the frame of the vehicle and are designed to be connected to support assembly
200. As shown in
FIGURE 2, bolts 110 are used to secure the support assembly to the housing
mount.
Referring now to FIGURES 1-3, support assembly 200 includes a pair of arcuate
U-shaped
support bars 210, 212. The support bars are rigidly held in a spaced
relationship to one another by
two L-shaped reenforcement bars 220, 222 welded at the lower ends of the
support bars and
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
intermediate of the length of the support bars, respectively. The arcuate
support bars are designed
to curve around the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIGURE 2. Welded to a
portion of
reenforcement bar 220 and the bottom of support bars 210, 212 are two
connection flanges 230, 232
designed to connect to struts 104 of housing mount 100. Each connection flange
includes an
opening 234, 236 adapted to receive bolt 110. Also welded to the back side of
support bars 210, 212
are attachment flanges 240, 242. Attachment flanges each have a plurality of
openings 244, 246
designed to receive bolt 110 when being connected to struts 102 of housing
mount 100. Openings
244, 246 can also be used to attach auxiliary lights, not shown, to the
support assembly. Attachment
flanges also create structural strength to the support bars. Welded to the
outer lower ends of each
support bar are attachment flanges 250, 252. Each attachment flange includes
an opening designed
to receive an attachment pin 260, 262. A secondary attachment flange 254, 256
is welded adjacent
to attachment flanges 250, 252, respectively. Secondary attachment flanges
254, 256 also include
an opening to receive a portion of pin 260, 262, as shown in FIGURE 3. Welded
between the upper
ends of support bars 210, 212 is an upper support rail 270. Two connection
tabs 272, 274 protrude
1 S outwardly from upper support rail 270. Each connection tab includes an
opening designed to
connect to a portion lift mount assembly 300. A mount tab 224 is secured to
reenforcement bar 222
to mount a portion of lift mount assembly 300 to the support assembly.
Referring again to FIGURES 1-3, there is shown the lift mount assembly 300.
Lift mount
assembly 300 includes a lift leg 310 centrally positioned between connection
tabs 272, 274.
Connected to the end of lift leg 310 is a hook 320. Hook 320 includes an
opening 322 and a
hardened rod 324. The hardened rod allows lift chain 330 to slide over the rod
as the chain moves
through opening 322. This design enables the chain to move freely move and
better adjust to the
movement of the snowplow blade as the snowplow blade moves over a ground
surface. Hook 320
is connected to lift leg 310 by a pin 326. Pin 326 can be removed to release
hook 320 from the lift
leg. The opposite end of 310 is connected by hinge 340 to upper support rail
270. Hinge 340 allows
the end of lift leg 310 to move up and down. Two reenforcement beams 350, 352
are connected
between the lift leg and the support bar to provide strength and rigidity. The
two reenforcement
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
beams are also hingably connected to upper support rail 270. Two attachment
tabs 360, 362 are
connected to a mid portion of the lift leg to provide a connection for the
hydraulic lift 370. Each
attachment tab includes an opening adapted to receive a removable pin 364 that
connects one end
of the hydraulic lift 360 to the lift leg. The other end of hydraulic lift 370
is connected by pin 372
to mount tab 224. Hydraulic lift 370 includes two fluid openings 374, 376 to
receive hydraulic fluid
for operation of the hydraulic lift.
Referring again to FIGURES 1-3, blade support 400 includes a plow blade 410
having a
generally longitudinally extending structural frame 420, a scraper blade 414,
which is bolted by bolts
415 to the bottom of structural frame 420, and an inwardly curved moldboard
416. Structural frame
420 includes upper and lower flanges 422, 424 that extend the complete length
of the moldboard.
Several curved structural ribs 426 extend between the upper and lower flanges.
Connected to several
pairs of structural ribs are connection flanges 428 designed to secure tension
springs to the plow
blade. For consistency of terminology as used herein, the scraper blade is the
replaceable, lower
edged portion of the plow blade, and the blade is the inwardly curved front
face 418 of moldboard
416 and the scraper blade 414. Plow blade 410 includes a structural frame 412,
mold board 416 and
scraper blade 414. Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 10, a portion of the base of
the plow blade is
illustrated. Scraper blade 414 is shown to include a reinforced edge to extend
the life of the scraper
blade as the scraper blade moves over ground surface G. The reinforced edge
includes a durable
material 430 embedded in the bottom of the scraper blade. As can be
appreciated, a variety of
durable materials can be used. One such material is a carbide insert. In
addition, it can be
appreciated that the scraper blade can be used without a reinforced edge.
Secured between blade support 400 and support assembly 200 is the blade mount
assembly
500. Refernng still again to FIGURES 1-3, and to FIGURE 7, blade mount
assembly includes an
A-frame 510. The A-frame includes a support cross-over arm 512 having journals
514, 516
connected to the two ends of the cross-over arm. The two journals include
journal openings 518
adapted to secure the A-frame to attachment flanges 250, 252 of support
assembly 200. The A-frame
also includes two struts 520, 522 which are connected at one end to the cross-
over arm S 12 and at
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
the other end to a mount block 530. The A-frame also includes support flanges
526, 528 to provide
structural rigidity between the struts and the mount block. The A-frame
further includes stop flanges
524 connected to the struts and adjacent the two journals. The stop flanges
are designed to limit the
upward position of the blade mount assembly when being lifted by the lift
mount assembly.
As shown in FIGURE 7, the front face of the mount plate includes two limit
blocks 532, 534.
The limit blocks are designed to limit the rotational movement of the
connection block 540 when
connected to the mount block. The front face of the mount plate also includes
a mount opening 536
and a lock opening 538. Mount opening 536 is designed to receive a connection
bolt 550 of
connection block 540 which is used to secure the connection block to the mount
plate. Lock opening
538 is designed to receive a lock bolt 564 that inhibits or prevents any
rotational movement of the
connection block 540 when connected to the mount block as shown in FIGURE 4.
Connection block 540 is best shown in FIGURE 6. Connection block 540 includes
a back
plate 542 that includes a central opening 544 adapted to receive bolt 550.
Bolt 550 includes a head
552 that is sized to prevent the head from passing through opening 544. Bolt
550 also includes a
body 554 and a pin opening 556 in the body. Pin opening 556 is adapted to
receive a lock pin 558.
Lock pin 558 is designed to prevent a nut 559 that is threaded onto bolt 550
from becoming
unthreaded from the bolt, as shown in FIGURE 4. Secured to the top edge of
back plate 542 is a fix
tab 560 that includes an opening 562. The fix tab has a generally trapezoidal
shape; however, other
shapes can be used. Secured to the front face of the back plate are two
connector plates 570, 580.
The connector plates have a similar arrow head shape and lie in the same
horizontal plane in a space
relationship from one another. Two spacing bars 590, 592 are connected between
the connector
plates to maintain the plate spacing and to provide strength and rigidity to
the two plates. Each of
the connector plates include symmetrically oriented guide slots 572, 582,
mount openings 574, 584,
fix openings 576A-C, ~586A-C, and ram openings 578A-B, 588A-B as shown in
FIGURE 6.
Positioned between mount openings 574, 584 is a support tube 596 which
facilitates in maintaining
the plate spacing and provides strength and rigidity to the two plates.
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
A blade mount bar 600 is illustrated in FIGURE 8. The blade mount bar is
designed to be
secured to the plow blade and connected to connection block 540. Blade mount
600 includes a
mount bar 610 having an end flange 620, 622 connected at each end of the bar.
Each end flange
includes three pairs of runner openings 624 and a blade mount opening 626.
Blade mount bar also
S includes four blade flanges 630A-D connected to the front face of the blade
mount. Each of the
blade flanges includes a blade mount opening 632. Connected to the top surface
of mount bar 610
are six spring tabs 640A-D. Each of the spring tabs includes an opening 642.
Welded to each back
face end of the mount bar are a pair of rigidity flanges 650A-B, 652A-B. Each
pair of rigidity
flanges includes a ram opening 654. The rigidity flanges provide rigidity and
strength to the
connection between the end flanges and mount bar and also provide a mount
location for the rams
on the blade mount bar. Also connected to the back face of the mount bar are a
pair of U-shaped
plates 660, 670 symmetrically oriented with respect to one another. The
spacing between U-shaped
plates 660, 670 enables connector plates 570, 580 to be inserted therebetween,
as shown in FIGURE
4. Two side flanges 690,692 facilitate in maintaining the spacing of the U-
shaped plates and
provides structural strength and rigidity to the U-shaped plates. Two support
flanges 700, 702 are
connected between the top surface of the mount bar to the top surface of U-
shaped plate 660. The
support flanges each include an opening 704. Referring again to the two U-
shaped plates, each U-
shaped plate includes several openings, namely pivot openings 662, 672, guide
openings 664, 674,
and lock openings 666, 676. Blade mount 600 further includes chain tabs 696A-B
each having an
opening 698. One end of chain 330 connects to openings 698.
Referring now to FIGURE 4, blade mount bar 600 is illustrated as being
connected to
connection block 540. Pivot bolt 710 is shown as connecting the U-shaped
plates to the connector
plates. Pivot bolt 710 includes a head 712 having a size that prevents the
head from passing through
opening 662 of U-shaped plate 660. Body 714 of the bolt passes through opening
662, opening 574
of connector plate 570, opening 584 of connector plate 580, and opening 672 of
U-shaped plate 670.
Nut 716 is shown to be treaded onto the end of body 714. A lock pin 718 is
inserted through a pin
hole 720 of body 714 to retain nut 716 on the body of the bolt. The body of
pivot bolt 710 is also
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CA 02370925 2002-02-07
shown to be inserted in a bushing 730. The bushing facilitates in the pivoting
movement of the U-
shaped plates relative to the connector plate. Pivot bolt 710 is also
disclosed as including a lubricant
passage 722 that passes through head 712 and into body 714. Lubricant passage
722 includes side
passages 724 that direct lubricant to the space between bushing 730 and the
outer surface of body
714. A removable cap 726 is used to seal the opening to the lubricant passage
in the head of the
pivot bolt. The removable cap enables an operator to remove the cap to insert
lubricant in the
lubricant passage when need and to then reseal the opening. The lubricant
facilitates in the pivoting
movement of the U-shaped plates relative to the connector plate. A swivel bolt
740 is shown as
allowing partial pivoting of the U-shaped plates on the connector plates.
Swivel bolt 740 includes
a head 742 having a size that prevents the head from passing through opening
666 of U-shaped plate
660. Body 744 of the bolt passes through opening 666, slot 572 of connector
plate 570, slot 582 of
connector plate 580, and opening 676 of U-shaped plate 670. Nut 746 is shown
to be treaded onto
the end of body 744. A lock pin 748 is inserted through a pin hole 750 of body
744 to retain nut 746
on the body of the bolt. The body of pivot bolt 740 is also shown to be
inserted in a bushing 760.
The bushing facilitates in the pivoting movement of the U-shaped plates to the
connector plates. As
can be appreciated, the size of the slots in the connector plates limits the
amount of pivoting of the
U-shaped plates on the connector plates.
Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, blade support 400 is connected to blade
mount bar
600 by several bolts 800. Bolts 800 are designed to pivotly connect curved
structural ribs 426 to end
flanges 620, 622 and blade flanges 630. Bolt 800 includes a head having a size
such that the head
cannot pass through the opening in structural ribs 426. Bolt 800 also includes
a body that passes
through the opening in the structural ribs and through opening 632 of blade
flanges 630 or 626 of
the end flanges. A nut 804 is threaded to the end of body 802. As shown in
FIGURE 4, bolts 800
include an internal passageway 806 and side passageway 808 to allow a
lubricating agent to provide
lubrication about the bolt and facilitate in the pivotal movement of the
snowplow blade on the blade
mount bar. Several retaining coils 820 are also connected between blade
support 400 and blade
mount bar 600. One end of the coil is connected in opening 704 of support
flanges 700, 702 or
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CA 02370925 2004-10-04
openings 642 of spring tabs 640. The other end of the coil is connected to
opening 852 on one end
of tension rod 850. The other end of tension rod 800 is connected by bolts 854
to connection flanges
428 on the snowplow blade. The bolts 854 are used to adjust the tension
provided by the~coils.
Referring now to FIGURE .1, .rams 900 are. connected between openings 587, 588
of
connection block 540 and openings: 654 of blade mount bar 600. Bolts 902 and
pins 904 are used
to connect the rams to openings 587, 588 and openings 654. Also illustrated in
FIGURES 1 and 2
. . are a pair of mushroom runners 920 that are connected to runner openings
624 of blade mount bar
600. The top of the iunner i~tcludes a handle 922 that can be raised and
rotated to adjust the height
of the runners. Runners 920 are connected to openings 624 by bolts 926. The
base 924 of the runner
is connected to shaft 925 by bolts 928. The tonne=s are used to stabilize the
snowplow blade 'during
operation and~to help minimize damage to the bottom of the snowplorwblade. .
As can be' appreciated,
the use of runners is optional and the snowplow blade can be.used without the
use of runners.
The operation of the frame mount assembly will now be described. The basic
operation of
the frame mount assembly is shown and described in detail in United States
Patent
No. x,134,813; No. 6,354,024; and No. 6,276,075, thus will not be repeated.
Reference will now be made
to FIGURES 4-8~ wherein the novel connection between.~the snowplow blade and
blade mount
assembly 500 is illustrated. The nQVel connection enables the snowplow blade
to pivot in a
horizontal axis or in a plane substantially parallel to ground G. This
pivoting action is enabled by
the connection between connection block 540 and blade mount bar, 600: As
previously described,
_ bolt 710 pivotly connects the blade mount bar to the connection block. Bolt
740 slides in slot 572
thereby enabling the blade~mount bar to pivot a controlled distance. As can be
appreciated, the
design and size of slot 572 can be selected to control the,amount and/or
direction of pivot of the
blade mount bar to the connection block when being used in certain
applications. When it is
undesirable to allow the blade mount bar to pivot relative to the connection
block, ~a lock, bolt can
. . be~inserted in one ~of the openings 576A C, 5.88A=C; 664, and 674. The use
of the lock bolt will lock
the snowplow blade in a left pivot when the bolt is inserted through openings
576A, 588A, 664, and
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CA 02370925 2004-10-04
674; a right pivot when the bolt is inserted through openings 576C, 588C, 664,
and 674; and a front
central position when the bolt is inserted through openings 576B, 588B, 664,
and 674.
Refernng now to FIGURES S and SA, the connection between connection block 540
and
mount block 530 enables the connection block to pivot about bolt 550. This
pivoting action enables
S the snowplow blade to slightly rotate about an axis that is substantially
transverse to the ground G.
This slight amount of rotation allows the snowplow blade outer edges to lift
off an uneven ground
surface thus reducing damage and wear to the scraper blade. FIGURE 5
illustrates the connection
block being substantially aligned with the blade mount assembly. In this
position, the scraper blade
on the snowplow blade is substantially parallel to ground G. A bolt can be
inserted through openings
562 and 538 to lock the connection block in this position relative to the A-
frame 510. As shown in
FIGURE SA, connection block 540 is in a rotated position relative to mount
block 530. Limit block
534 is shown as limiting the rotation of the connection block. The dotted
lines illustrates limit block
532 limiting the rotation of the connection block in the opposite direction.
Typically, the limit
blocks are positioned to allow for up to about 5 ° rotation; however,
other maximum angles of
rotation can be used.
The novel interconnection of the connection block to the mount block, and the
connection
' block to the blade mount bar, enables the snowplow blade to move and/or be
positioned in a desired
orientation as the snowplow blade travels over the ground. In addition, the
snowplow blade can
better orient itself to the ground surface during operation thereby improving
the performance of the
snowplow blade and reducing damage and wear to the snowplow blade especially
when removing
materials from an uneven ground surface.
The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate
embodiments.
Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon reading and
understanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided for herein.
This invention is
intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they,
come within the scope of
the present invention.
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